996AE

Thanks for the feed back everyone.

I am hesitating only because is red with beige interior. No options except Aero.

FRUNKenstein

What does this mean?
I don't get it.

Macster

If you are not a fan of the exterior and interior color that's probably a sign you need to move on. This car is not for you especially if you have to pay what appears to be a bit of a premium for the car.

There can be and are exceptions but generally if one pays a premium for a used car he does so for a good used car and one that punches all the buttons.

Slakker

He's trying to say it's fugly. Sorry.

FRUNKenstein

Still don't understand.

stan23

personally, I think red exterior is fine, but beige interior is very outdated. Kinda like their teal interior.

Barn996

I still think Savannah beige works okay for a 17-18 year old Porsche.

996AE

PPI results

Minor incident/accident

1. rear bumper replaced after minor rear tap at stop light
2. rear quarter panel resprayed parking lot incident
3. owner said transmission replaced after something hit in road

Needs motor mounts, water pump and shocks. Coils and spark plugs are original and PPI recommended replacement. Car runs and shows well.

Beige is much uglier in person. The Red Aero car on the other hand is striking.

65k car not 55k mi as originally posted

FRUNKenstein

Guards red over black. If my '99 Aero had been that combo, I'd still be driving it.

Frankly, I always loved guards red over tan on the 944 when it first came out back in 1982, but tan interiors don't age well. That was my 964's color combo. I do really like Barn's interior where a lot of black parts break up the tan. I think that looks great - breaks up the tan very nicely.

I am the Walrus

Yikes! 15 years/65k miles on same plugs&coils....
But yet a "reputable shop did the IMS"
I really think you should skip buying this car

texcwa

We all have our price limits and reasons for wanting one of these cars. I got my 2004 with 52k miles for more than "the going rate" The seller was very high $32k, reduced it after 6 months to $27,500. It had the colors I was looking for, options i was looking for, all receipts from day one, and was garaged its whole life. The PPI came back clean so after hours of negotiations, I got it for 25K. I know this is high but I found what I was looking for (plus I am in CA and our prices are a bit higher) and do not regret it at all. If you find one you like and it is a sound runner, do what you can afford. If your like me, I did not buy this as an investment but for the pleasure of driving it. Just my two cents.

Hotwire

No way i would buy that 2001, do your research, so many needed changes came out in 2002. i regret and hate my 99, 996, but i believe 3.4 was unto 2002. Transmissions are pure junk in 99 to 02, on 2nd replacement for as they call them "disposable". Larger engine, better cam, better trans in 02 to 05. do yourself a favor and research.

FRUNKenstein

OK, I'll bite, Hotwire. Compare the IMS bearing in the '99 to that used in the 2002 and later models.

VivG

I can understand preferring an 02+ (headlights, slightly more power, better wheel choices, more options, glass rear window on Cabs, C4S/Targa). I can also understand preferring 98-01 (headlights, slightly less weight, more "raw"/old school feel, dual-row IMS, reputation for better quality in early production cars).

But "hate and regret"? They're not that different at all...I can't imagine hating 996.1 without also hating 996.2.

joseph mitro

agree with texcwa 100%

if you like the car and it pushes your buttons, then buy it.

the advice to walk away based on the PPI is just silly IMHO. I mean, you are negotiating the purchase price and MIGHT get $1-2k off; then expect to pay several thousand in maintenance, prevention in the next year. Why would a buyer pass on a car that needs a couple thousand dollars in work when the general consensus on this board is to EXPECT to pay $5k a year in repairs